Container with rip strip having lock and lap portions within the rip strip width



Patented Sept. 7, 1954 CONTAINER WITH RIP STRIP HAVING LOCK AND LAP PORTIONS WITHIN THE RIP STRIP WIDTH J ohn Henchert, River Forest, Ill., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 17, 1951, Serial No. 247,007

9 Claims. y 1

The invention relates :generally to metallic receptacles, and more particularly to containers having side seams formed at least in part of interlocked inner and outer hooks and which also have rip strips extending thereabout to facilitate opening, and it primarily seeks to provide a novel form and arrangement of rip strip wherein are included lock and lap portions within the Width of the rip strip.

Containers equipped with rip strips dened by score-weakened lines extending about the container bodies and terminating in tongue extensions intended to be wound on keys for tearing out the rip strip and opening the container are well known, and, of course, such rip strips have been used in containers having side seams of interlocked hook type. However, in su-ch containers considerable diioulty has been experienced in providing a proper sealing of the container at the position at which the rip strip extends frorn the side seam, it being necessary to break the continuity of one of the hooks in order to' provide the rip strip key receiving tongue extension. It is the broad purpose of the present invention to provide a novel rip strip structure including a tongue extension extending beyond the outer hook and a struck out portion intermediately of its width and forming a lock portion continuation of the outer hook and adapted to be interlockedwith the inner hook along with the main body of the outer hook, thereby to equip the rip strip with lock and lap portions within the width thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rip strip structure of the character stated wherein the struck out portion of the tongue extension is placed intermediately of the edges dening said extension so that a lap portion of said extension will be disposed endwise in each direction from the lock portion intermediately formed by said struck out portion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rip strip structure of the character stated wherein there is provided a score-weakened area extending away from the Struck out portion in the direction in which the rip strip is progressively torn out by the winding thereof about a key, said weakened area permitting the tearing away of the rip strip and its lap portions from the stru-ck out portion locked in the side seam during the opening of the container.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more fully understood by following the detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an outside face view illustrating a can body blank embodying the invention, a central portion of the blank being broken away.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary inside face View of the blank of Figure 1, the portion of the blank adjacent the tongue extension end of the rip strip being shown.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the upper edge portion of the blank of Figure 1 after the edge hooks have been formed thereon, a central portion of the blank being broken away.

Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating a container structure formed from the blank of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and end closures suitably applied thereon.

Figure 5 is a detail horizontal cross section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail horizontal cross section taken on the line 6 6 on Figure 4.

In the example of embodiment of the invention herein disclosed the container body is formed from a sheet metal blank as disclosed in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The blank 5 is equipped with parallel rip strip defining score lines 6, and a rip strip tongue extension 1 extending from one side of the blank in line with the score line dened rip strip.` At the position of the rip strip tongue extension, the blank edge preferably is transversely slit as at `8 throughout the depth of the outer hook 9 to be formed in that edge portion of the blank so as to place the base of the tongue at the juncture of the hook 9 with the container body proper. Broadly stated, the score lines 6 and the slits 8 form weakening lines extending about the container body and through the hooks in parallel relation to dene at least in part the rip strip and the extended portion thereof which extends beyond the hooks and into the winding key receiving tongue as shown in Figure 1. The base of the outer hook 9 is indicated by the fold line I0, and the comparable fold line Il, at the opposite side edge of the blank deiines the inner hook I2. It is to be understood that when the blank side edge portions are folded in the usual manner at the fold lines l0 and Il, the outer and inner hooks 9 and i2 Will be formed in the manner illustrated in Figure 3.

The rip strip terminates as at I3 adjacent, but at a point spaced from the inner hook fold line Il, thereby to leave a solid blank wall portion I4 adapted to form a reclosure cover hinge in a manner to be described hereinafter.

At the other end of the rip strip the tongue extension, within its width and within the width of the hook 9, is provided with a U-shaped slit defined by sides. I5 paralleling and spaced inwardly from the side edges of the tongue extension. and a base I6 aligned with the free edge of the hook 9, thereby forming a rectangular hook portion I1 which, when folded at the fold line I0, will form a continuation oi the hook 9^. It will be apparent by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawing that a lap portion I8 is disposed endwise of the hook portion I'l in eac-h direction, and therefore there are provided a look portion and two lap portions within the width of the rip strip, said. lock portion being centered between the lap portions.

The portion of the rip strip inwardly of the hook portion I 'I is provided with a U or V shaped score-weakened. line I9 merging at. each end in the respective slits I5 defining said hook por- Iim, and said line I9 defines a tear out area When the can body is made up and the side seam thereof is formed by bringing the hooks 9 andv I2 together into interlocking relation in the manner illustrated. in Figures 4,. 5 and 6, the completed seam generally designated 2 I, will. be provided throughout the length of the can body generally designated 22. Because of the provision of the hook portion. l'I within the width of the rip strip, this lock seam will beV without interruption. or break throughout the whole length thereof except at the positions of the. two narrow lap portionsy I8 of the ripA strip where. they extend inwardly from the base of. the tongue 'I into the side seam area, as will be apparentv by reference to Figures 3 and 5. The seam is completed by bumping in. the usual manner, and during the completion of the seam, abutment shoulders. 23 and Z4 are placed at opposite. sides of the seam and against the hook folds. in po.- sition for aiding inv preventing free separation of the. hooks 8. and I2 as a result. of crushing strainsl imposed upon the container body.

The seain structure may he sealed. by solder bonding. in the usual mannen, as indicated at 25, or this sealing may take the form of. any conventional. dope or sealing` compound, The container structure includes the usual bottom 26 and top 2I, and it is preferred that the` conventional collar (not. shown) be included inwardly of the rip strip and opposite the saine so. that a portion thereof will project aboive the edge formed. at the lower score line E. in the usual manner when the rip strip is torn out incidental tov the opening of the container and facilitate rec-,losing of the container. In other words, the container top 2T and the body ring remaining attached thereto after the tearing out of the rip strip will remain connected to the main body 22 by the solid hinge portion I4- beside the terminus I3 of the rip strip and can be reclosed repeatedlyI over or within the upper edge of the colla-rl in the: well known manner;

When itv is desired to open the container, the key is applied tp the. tongue extension 'I in the usual manner, and. by winding the tongue extension on the key the ripv strip will be rippedout progressively to effect the desired opening of the container. As the actual tearing out of the rip stripproper commences at the inner ends of the slits 8', orl at, the baseof. the outer hook 9, the tearing outof. the rip strip' area,` 20 also will commence. In other words, because of the fact that the rip strip hook portion I1 is secured in and forms a part of the locked side seam 2I, said hook portion II will remain in the seam as the rip strip is torn away and the score-weakening line I9 will, permit the area 20 vvof the rip strip to remain intact with the connected hook portion I'I and be torn out of the rip strip.

While an example form of the invention is disclosed herein, it is to be understood that the structural details and arrangement of parts may be variously modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a container, a body having a side sea formed at least in part of interlocked hooks, and score lines extending about the body thereof at the position of said interlocking hooks and dening a rip strip width, said strip width extending beyond. the hooks. to form a winding key receiving. tongue and having a hook portion struck out therefrom` and folded in as. a part of said side seam, said rip strip also including a score line dened tear out area extending inwardly from said hook portion and adapted to be torn out of the rip strip as the latter is Wound on a key so that the hook portion can remain in the side seam.

2. In a container, a body having a side seam formed at least in part of. interlocked hooks, and score lines extending about the body thereof at the. position of said interlocking hooks and dening a rip strip width, said strip width extending beyond the hooks to form a winding key receiving tongue and having. a. hook portion struck outr therefrom and folded in. as a part of said side seam and a lap portion disposed endwise of. said hook portion, said rip strip also including a score line defined tear out area extending inwardly from said hook portion and adapted to be torn out of the rip strip as the latter is wound on a key so that the hook portion can remain in the side seam.

3. In a containerr a. body having. a side seam formed at least in part of interlocked inner and outer hooks, and. scorelines extending about the body thereof at the position of said interlocking hooks and defining a rip strip width, said strip width extending beyond the hooks to form a winding key receiving tongue, said tongue extending from the defined rip strip at the base of the outer hook and having a hook portion of the same width as and aligned with said outer hook struck out therefrom intermediately of the width of the rip strip and folded in with the outer hook as a part of the side seam, thereby to leave a narrow lap portion disposed endwise of said hook portion in each direction endwise therefrom and extending into the seam from the tongue.

4. In a container, a body having a side seam formed at least in part of interlocked inner and outer hooks, and score lines extending about the body thereof at the position of said interlocking hooks andv defining a rip strip width, said strip width extending beyond the. hooks to form a winding key receiving tongue and having a hook portion of the same width as. and aligned with said outer hook struck out therefrom intermediately of the width. of the rip strip and folded in with the outer hook as a part ofthe side seam, thereby to leave a narrow lap portion disposed endwise of said hook portion in each direction endwise therefrom and extending into the seam from the tongue, said rip strip also including a score line defined tear out area extending inwardly from said hook portion and adapted to be torn out of the rip strip as the latter is wound on a key so that the hook portion can remain in the side seam.

5. A blank from which to form a rip strip container body and comprising a rectangular body having an outer hook area extending along one side edge and an inner hook area extending along the other side edge, score lines extending in parallel relation across the blank to the outer hook area from a point at least adjacent to the inner hook area and defining a rip strip, a winding key receiving tongue extension forming a continuation of the rip strip beyond said outer hook area, slits extending across said outer hook area and in part deiining said tongue extension, and a U-shaped slit formed in the tongue extension with the base of the U aligned with the outer edge of the outer hook area and the arms of the U spaced inwardly from the adjacent edges of the tongue extension and extending full width across said outer hook area.

6. A blank from'which to form a rip strip container `body and comprising a rectangular body having an outer hook area extending along one side edge and an inner hook area extending along the other side edge, score lines extending in parallel relation across the blank to the outer hook area from a point at least adjacent to the inner hook area and defining a rip strip, a winding key receiving tongue extension forming a continuation of the rip strip beyond said outer hook area, slits extending across said outer hook area and in part dening said tongue extension, a U- shaped slit formed in the tongue extension with the base of the U aligned with the outer edge of the outer hook area and the arms of the U spaced inwardly from the adjacent edges of the tongue extension and extending full width across said outer hook area, and a U-shaped score line on the rip strip placed reversely with relation to said U-shaped slit with the free ends of the arms of the U merging into the free ends of the arms of the U-shaped slit.

'7. In a container, a body including a side seam formed at least in part of interlocked hooks, said body having weakening lines extending thereabout and through the'hooks in parallel relation to deiine at least in part a rip strip extending beyond the hooks and into a winding key receiving tongue, said rip strip where its defining lines extend through the hooks having a hook portion comprising a fractional part only of the Width of the strip, said hook portion being folded into the side seam so that hook seam continuity is broken throughout a portion only of the full width of said strip.

8. In a container, a body including a side seam formed at least in part of interlocked hooks, said body having weakening lines extending thereabout and through the hooks in parallel relation to define at least in part a rip strip extending beyond the hooks and into a winding key receiving tongue, said rip strip where its dening lines extend through the hooks having a hook portion comprising a fractional part only of the width of the strip and leaving a lap portion at at least one side of said hook portion within said strip width, said hook portion being folded into the side seam so that hook seam continuity is broken throughout a portion only of the full Width of said strip.

9. In a container, a body including a side seam formed at least in part of interlocked hooks, said body having weakening lines extending thereabout and through the hooks in parallel relation to dene at least in part a rip strip extending beyond the hooksl and into a winding key receiving tongue, said rip strip where its defining lines extend through the hooks having a hook portion comprising a fractional part only of the width of the strip and leaving a lap portion at each side of said hook portion within said strip Width, said hook portion being folded into the side seam so that hook seam continuity'is broken throughout a portion only of the full width of said strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,089,959 Hothersall Aug. 17, 1937 2,325,084 Then July 27, 1943 2,335,268 Erb Nov. 30, 1943 2,335,270 Geertsen Nov. 30, 1943 2,365,112 Schrader et al Dec. 12, 1944 2,495,294 Socke Jan. 24, 1950 

